Evaluating the contacts held on both sides of the island at Ledra Palace today, the Deputy Coordinator of the Group Mechtild Rothe expressed the European Union’s desire towards the reunification of Cyprus which will allow all peoples of Cyprus become an EU member as a whole with a single common state and citizenship.
Reminding that the High Level Contact Group went into business in 2006, Rothe said establishing a bridge between the EU and North Cyprus, helping to promote bi-communal relations and allowing the removal of isolations on North Cyprus have been among the primary goals of the Contact Group.
`So far, we have met these goals to some extent` Rothe said.
She praised the concrete steps taken by the two sides on the island towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, through re-launching the negotiations process.
`I have been working on the Cyprus issue since 25 years and this is the first time I’m observing such a hopeful atmosphere for a solution- which is also confirmed by Talat and Christofias` Rothe went on saying.
Pointing out that full-fledged peace negotiations continue under a positive climate, Rothe said such a big hope for resolution has finally emerged.
In her speech, Mechtild Rothe also made reference to the EU-funded projects aimed at improving North Cyprus infrastructure and cultural heritage, promoting bi-communal relations and supporting confidence-building measures such as de-mining operations in the buffer zone.
The Deputy Co-ordinator of the EP High Level Contact Group also announced that projects funded under the EU Financial Assistance Regulation for Turkish Cypriots will be completed by the end of this year.
`However, what we really want to provide support at is the works of civil society organizations on both sides. Because we believe that the establishment of trust and cooperation among Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot CSOs will very much contribute to the federal settlement of the Cyprus problem` she stressed.
Expressing the belief that bi-communal projects will provide a good example of cooperation to the whole world, she said bi-communal initiatives in Cyprus will also contribute to one of EU’s main themes- which is inter-cultural dialogue.
In addition, Rothe underlined the importance of support and belief to be owned by the two peoples of the island in order to allow a successful maintenance of the solution process.
Mechtild Rothe hoped to see a `united Cyprus` in a near future and to witness the election of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot MEPs together for the representation of Cyprus at EP.
Answering a reporter’s question on the forthcoming election in the North in April, Rothe said Mehmet Ali Talat will still remain as the President and Turkish Cypriots are well aware of his strong willingness towards a federal settlement.
Meanwhile, this has been the last Cyprus visit of the High Level Contact Group with its current staff.
Rothe said she will not be running for this June’s EP elections but noted that the Contact Group will maintain its duty with its new members to join.
